[hershey]

Hey everyone! I was just wondering if anyone has ever heard of a "heat spot." What exactly is a heat spot?

Every summer my horse gets this thing on his skin. It looks like little bald circles (about the size of a pea) and they are scattered on a little area on his shoulder. He only has them on one shoulder and he doesn't have them anywhere else. He has never gotten them anywhere else.

I asked some people what they thought it was and they all told me that it was probably some skin problem because of the heat or something. (Well that didn't tell me much.)

I just wanted to know if anyone else has this problem with their horse and if anyone had any suggestions. I will try to get pictures by tomorrow night. Thanks in advance!!!

[Ryle]

"Hot spots" are areas where the skin becomes raw, inflammed and oozing. What you are describing doesn't sound like a hot spot, but rather a contact dermatitis. You say it's always on one shoulder but not the other...does that shoulder perhaps get a more concentrated spray of fly spray? I would not expect it to be something like an insect allergy or heat related since it's always in only that area....it's going to be something that ONLY occurs to that area.

[warmbloodedgal]

Originally Posted by Ryle

"Hot spots" are areas where the skin becomes raw, inflammed and oozing. What you are describing doesn't sound like a hot spot, but rather a contact dermatitis. You say it's always on one shoulder but not the other...does that shoulder perhaps get a more concentrated spray of fly spray? I would not expect it to be something like an insect allergy or heat related since it's always in only that area....it's going to be something that ONLY occurs to that area.

thats wat i was gonna say!!! lol but you beat me to it

[Morri]

Originally Posted by Ryle

"Hot spots" are areas where the skin becomes raw, inflammed and oozing. What you are describing doesn't sound like a hot spot, but rather a contact dermatitis. You say it's always on one shoulder but not the other...does that shoulder perhaps get a more concentrated spray of fly spray? I would not expect it to be something like an insect allergy or heat related since it's always in only that area....it's going to be something that ONLY occurs to that area.

I haven't really seen too many "hot spots" on horses, but in dogs, they seem to be recurrent, often in the same area, when the weather warms up. Yes the skin becomes raw, inflamed and oozing. They are commonly treated with corticosteroids.

[Ryle]

Yep, they are a rather common things in dogs and cats. Used to see lots of them every summer at the clinic, generally secondary to allergies. Dogs tend to develop the hot spots more because they sit and lick at the area and make it raw and moist--perfect site for bacteria to set up shop!
I have seen a few on horses, but not too many. Mostly in areas where something rubs constantlly.

[Morri]

Originally Posted by Ryle

Yep, they are a rather common things in dogs and cats. Used to see lots of them every summer at the clinic, generally secondary to allergies. Dogs tend to develop the hot spots more because they sit and lick at the area and make it raw and moist--perfect site for bacteria to set up shop!
I have seen a few on horses, but not too many. Mostly in areas where something rubs constantlly.

Hmmmmm does the horse wear a breast collar?

[hershey]

Originally Posted by Ryle

"Hot spots" are areas where the skin becomes raw, inflammed and oozing. What you are describing doesn't sound like a hot spot, but rather a contact dermatitis. You say it's always on one shoulder but not the other...does that shoulder perhaps get a more concentrated spray of fly spray? I would not expect it to be something like an insect allergy or heat related since it's always in only that area....it's going to be something that ONLY occurs to that area.

No,I haven't sprayed anything on it in a while. What exactly is contact dermatitis and how is it caused? I still need to take pictures. Sorry.

[hershey]

Originally Posted by Morri

I haven't really seen too many "hot spots" on horses, but in dogs, they seem to be recurrent, often in the same area, when the weather warms up. Yes the skin becomes raw, inflamed and oozing. They are commonly treated with corticosteroids.

Hmm... really? Well it is raw in little circles and a think it might be inflamed, but it isn't oozing at all. It doesn't seem to "hurt" him. So if it isn't oozing then could it possibly be something else?

[hershey]

Originally Posted by Ryle

Yep, they are a rather common things in dogs and cats. Used to see lots of them every summer at the clinic, generally secondary to allergies. Dogs tend to develop the hot spots more because they sit and lick at the area and make it raw and moist--perfect site for bacteria to set up shop!
I have seen a few on horses, but not too many. Mostly in areas where something rubs constantlly.

Well he doesn't rub it at all and it isn't moist it is really dry.

[hershey]

Originally Posted by Morri

Hmmmmm does the horse wear a breast collar?

No, but I might sound stupid... but what exactly is a breast collar?